With an average budget of 12,000 euros in France, organizing a wedding is expensive for future spouses.
Between the place of reception, the outfits, the caterer, the DJ and the photographer, the bill can quickly climb without necessarily having delusions of grandeur.
And to these unavoidable costs must be added other expenses.
Hair and make-up tests, alterations to outfits, gifts for guests, corkage fees and unforeseen events before D-Day… There are many additional costs that you don't always think of budgeting for.
Alterations of outfits
One of the major expense items in a wedding is the wedding dress.
Many women do not skimp on the means to afford the one of their dreams.
If the choice is sometimes difficult and can take several weeks to find the outfit for the D-day, we often forget that it is also necessary to plan some touch-ups.
After the first fittings, it is indeed sometimes necessary to modify the size, the length, the embroidery... A few days before the ceremony, you will therefore surely have to put your hand in the wallet so that your dress fits you like a glove.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, remember to ask the price of this service from the outset.
Hair and make-up tests
Similarly, you will have to go through the make-up and hairstyle boxes.
And no question of improvising the morning of your wedding.
Professional hairdressers and make-up artists offer to do at least a trial a few weeks before the fateful date, so that your beauty treatment pleases you and is coordinated with your dress and accessories.
These services are then to be added to your overall budget.
Don't forget the costs associated with manicures and hair removal, if you have decided to hire a beautician.
The corkage fee
To celebrate as it should be but also to reduce costs, have you decided to supply the bottles of wine, champagne and aperitifs yourself rather than opting for the selection of your caterer?
Again, be careful, he is entitled to charge you a corkage fee.
This is a tax (generally a few euros per bottle) which corresponds to the costs of refrigeration and opening, as well as payment for the service and cleaning of the glasses.
This common practice also allows the caterer to compensate for the margin he does not realize by not providing you with the drinks.
In short, depending on the number of bottles, the price can quickly rise.
Small gifts for guests
If you will certainly be spoiled by your guests, it is also customary to provide small gifts for your relatives and friends at your wedding.
In addition to the classic sugared almonds, it is fashionable to offer them personalized gifts with your wedding date and your first names: wine corks, small soaps, magnets, spices, decorative objects, mini succulents... There is no shortage of ideas for mark the occasion, but here again there is a significant expense to be expected (about 5 euros per guest).
To limit costs, you can otherwise make gifts yourself.
Tips for service providers
Although the service is included in the overall price provided by your caterer, DJ, photographer, etc., it is appreciated to leave tips to service providers, especially when you are fully satisfied with their work.
An envelope of 15 or 20 euros is always welcome to thank them.
This expense is not compulsory.
Donations to religious offices
Similarly, if, in addition to the town hall, you have chosen to unite religiously, it is customary to make a donation, generally between 150 and 250 euros, to the person who will officiate during the ceremony.
And the unexpected?
In any case, plan an additional envelope of 10 to 15% of your overall budget to deal with all the unforeseen events that could arise as D-Day approaches. If the rain comes to your event, you will have to invest, for example, in tents and umbrellas to keep your guests dry.
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